The first batch of tulip seeds gifted by the consulate general of the Netherlands were planted at the weekend.

At the Knowledge and Innovation Community Garden in Yangpu District, residents planted more than 200 tulip seeds that will become red and orange tulips — the respective national colors of China and the Netherlands.

With the guidance of consulate officials and botanic experts, the garden near Fudan University serves as an example of how to plant and nurture tulips.

The consulate of the Netherlands has donated 7,500 tulip seeds, flown from the country, to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center to brighten old communities and downtown campuses.

“It has ... become a meaningful and citywide activity to cover many communities, schools and residents’ homes,” said Anneke Adema, Consul General of the Netherlands in Shanghai.

Adema said she hoped more people could enjoy the Dutch flower and that the initiative would promote bilateral cultural exchanges.

The consulate has donated 30,000 tulip seeds to local government bodies and organizations this year.

Under the theme of “Brighten up the City,” residents and students are encouraged to bring tulip flowers home or decorate the public areas in their communities with tulips.

The cost of three tulip seeds and a flowerpot is 9.9 yuan.

Experts will teach people to plant tulips through a WeChat account, and show children how to record the flower’s growth through paintings, said the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center. A batch of tulips were expected to blossom next March.

More than 20 local communities and 10 elementary and middle schools have applied to plant about 200 tulips each in their neighborhoods and campuses.